TRAVEL · CRUISE · SOUTH PACIFIC
My very first cruise, the ultimate girls’ trip, and why I’m officially a cruiser for life.
Ashley Schuberg
I’d always been curious about cruising but never quite committed — until my girlfriend and I booked 8 days on the Carnival Luminosa through the South Pacific. Let me tell you, I have officially been converted.
Here’s what sold me from day one: you get to visit all these incredible destinations and you only have to unpack once. That alone was a game-changer. No dragging suitcases between hotels, no airport transfers, no checking in and checking out. You wake up, look out the window, and there’s a brand new paradise waiting for you. It’s genuinely the smartest way to travel, especially with a girlfriend in tow when all you want to do is relax, explore, and not overthink the logistics.
This was an all-inclusive deal, which made it even more amazing. Your accommodation, meals, entertainment — it’s all taken care of. If you’re someone who loves a drink on holidays (hello, that’s me), there are extra alcohol packages available that make the whole experience feel completely indulgent without blowing the budget.
— The Cloud 9 Spa & Thermal Suite
If you’re anything like me and you love a good sauna and spa day, the Carnival Luminosa is your ship. It has the largest thermal suite at sea and honestly, I could have spent every single day in there. The hot stone loungers overlooking the ocean were next level — imagine lying on warm stone beds while the water stretches out endlessly in front of you. It was one of those pinch-me moments.
I also treated myself to a massage onboard and it was absolutely wonderful. There’s something about being pampered while floating in the middle of the Pacific Ocean that just hits differently. Add to that a fully equipped gym for anyone wanting to stay active (guilty — I did go a few times between meals), and the wellness offering on this ship really is top tier.
“Warm stone beds, the Pacific Ocean stretching out to the horizon, and not a single thing to worry about. That’s the Luminosa spa experience.”
— Entertainment That Never Stops
I was not prepared for the sheer amount of entertainment packed into this ship. From the moment you wake up to the moment you finally call it a night (at 2am, probably), there is always something happening. The theatre shows were brilliant — full production performances that genuinely rivalled anything you’d see on land. But the parties? The parties are where it really gets fun.
We went to the Backyard Bash party, a White Party, a 90’s party — every night was a different vibe and a different outfit. There’s an adults-only bar for when you want something a bit more sophisticated, and then there’s literally a nightclub onboard for when you want to dance until your feet give up. We also went to the Love & Marriage show which was hilarious and the perfect entertainment for a girls’ night in the theatre.
Oh, and putt putt! They have mini golf on the ship and it was such a fun little activity between everything else. You’ve also got Piano Bar 88 and the Punchliner Comedy Club keeping you entertained well into the evening. The entertainment was genuinely endless — I don’t think we experienced a single moment of boredom the entire eight days.
— Sunsets Like No Other
I need to talk about the sunsets. Standing on deck with a drink in hand, watching the sky melt into every shade of pink, orange, and gold over the South Pacific — there is nothing quite like it. No building obstructing the view, no noise, just you and the most incredible sky you’ve ever seen. It became our nightly ritual and honestly one of my favourite memories from the entire trip.
— Shore Excursions — New Caledonia
One of the highlights of the itinerary was our stop in New Caledonia. We did a kayaking excursion which was such a beautiful way to experience the crystal-clear water and lush coastline up close. Afterwards we headed into town for a wander and some shopping — it had that gorgeous French-Pacific charm that made it feel like a completely different world. The excursions really are the cherry on top of the whole cruise experience.
— Where to Eat on the Carnival Luminosa
Let’s talk about the food, because wow. The dining options on the Luminosa are seriously impressive. Here’s every restaurant and eatery available onboard:
| Restaurant | Type | Description |
| Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse | ★ My Top Pick | Premium steaks, seafood & wine list. We came back twice! |
| Vela Restaurant | Complimentary | Main dining room, rotating multi-course menu nightly |
| Archipelago Restaurant | Complimentary | Second main dining room, same menus as Vela |
| Lido Marketplace | Complimentary | 24-hour international buffet |
| Pizzeria del Capitano | Complimentary | Classic Italian-style pizza all day |
| Carnival Deli | Complimentary | NY-style deli sandwiches & wraps |
| Tacos & Burritos | Complimentary | Poolside Mexican, breakfast & lunch |
| Swirls | Complimentary | 24-hour soft-serve ice cream & frozen yogurt |
| Sweet Spot | Complimentary | Cakes, pies & puddings all day |
| Bonsai Sushi Express | Specialty | Fresh made-to-order sushi & sashimi |
| JavaBlue Café | Specialty | Specialty coffees, teas & pastries |
| The Chef’s Table | Specialty | Exclusive gourmet dining experience |
| Alchemy Bar | Bar | Craft cocktails with premium spirits |
| RedFrog Rum Bar | Bar | Poolside tropical cocktails |
| 24-Hour Room Service | Complimentary | Breakfast, sandwiches & snacks to your cabin |
Ashley’s Dining Tip
Book Fahrenheit 555 for your first night onboard — rumour has it you get a complimentary bottle of house wine. We went back a second time because the steaks were that good. Trust me on this one.
The Verdict — I’m Officially a Cruiser
If you’d told me before this trip that I’d become a cruise person, I would have laughed. But eight days on the Carnival Luminosa completely changed my mind. The combination of waking up somewhere new every day, incredible food, non-stop entertainment, and the most relaxing spa experience of my life made this the perfect holiday.
It’s the ultimate girls’ trip. It’s all-inclusive. It’s effortless. And those South Pacific sunsets? Absolutely unmatched.
If you’ve been sitting on the fence about booking a cruise, this is your sign. The Carnival Luminosa is an incredible first cruise — and I already can’t wait to book my next one.
